L.A. Avengers sign QB Ryan Van Dyke
Published on December 24, 2004 under Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Los Angeles Avengers News Release
LOS ANGELES -- Ryan Van Dyke, the leading quarterback in NFL Europe last season, has signed a three-year contract with the Los Angeles Avengers, head coach Ed Hodgkiss announced today.
He will be an Arena Football League rookie next season.
"Ryan worked out for us and was very impressive," said Hodgkiss, who has led the Avengers to the playoffs in each of his three years at the helm. "He's got everything you look for in a quarterback. He's got great size, a good arm and recently got some really good experience over in NFL Europe. Ryan's an exceptional athlete and a really good prospect."
Van Dyke (6-foot-5, 230 pounds) played for the Cologne Centurions during the 2004 NFL Europe season, completing 174-of-280 (62 percent) for a league-leading 2,003 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also carried the football 42 times for 157 yards and three scores. On the heels of that outstanding performance, he competed for a spot on the New York Giants roster in their most recent training camp, but was cut at the end of the preseason.
Following the 2002 NFL Draft, Van Dyke signed a free agent contract with the Seattle Seahawks, but was waived at the end of training camp. In 2003, he was signed by the Giants and allocated to NFL Europe.
A four-year letterman at Michigan State University (East Lansing, Mich.), Van Dyke played in 24 games despite a series of nagging injuries, starting five of them. He completed 161-of-288 for 2,111 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Van Dyke led Marshall (Mich.) High School to a 12-1 record and a second-place finish in the state playoffs as a senior in 1997, completing 118-of-182 for 1,996 yards and 25 touchdowns. He was listed among the nation's top 30 players according to Tom Lemming's Football Report.
Born on Feb. 13, 1980, Van Dyke will join three other Avenger quarterbacks -- John Kaleo, Brian Mann and Gibran Hamdan -- when "mini camp" opens on Tuesday, Dec. 28.
The 2005 season begins on Sunday, Jan. 30, as the Avengers head to Las Vegas for a Western Division showdown with the Gladiators at the Thomas & Mack Center. That game will kick off at noon (Pacific) and be televised on KNBC Channel 4.
Five days later, the Avengers will play their home opener versus the Georgia Force at STAPLES Center. Kickoff for that contest is set for 7:30 p.m. and the game will be televised on FSN West.
The Avengers went 9-7 last season and qualified for the ArenaBowl Playoffs for the third consecutive year. Los Angeles led the AFL in scoring (56.5 points per game) and averaged 12,590 fans at STAPLES Center for eight home games.
Nine-game season ticket packages, which start at $94.50, are on sale now at 1-888-AVENGERS or online at www.laavengers.com. Single-game tickets may be purchased at the STAPLES Center box office, at all Ticketmaster locations, on-line at www.ticketmaster.com and by calling 213-480-3232.
Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from December 24, 2004
- L.A. Avengers sign QB Ryan Van Dyke - Los Angeles Avengers
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